California is America’s new coronavirus epicenter

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• On Wednesday, California had again exceeded its previously recorded COVID-19 cases of infections, deaths and hospitalizations with record-breaking numbers.
• Data from a tally carried out by the LA Times indicated that 51,724 people tested positive with the virus breaking Monday’s record of 42,088, and 393 more deaths were confirmed topping the 295 posted on Tuesday.
• The latest reports come as ICU availability in both San Joaquin Valley and Southern California has dropped to 0 percent and 0.5 percent, respectively.

California on Wednesday smashed the state’s daily record for coronavirus infections and deaths topping numbers set the previous day.

With 51,724 more testing positive, the latest grim record just exceeded the 42,088 cases that were confirmed on Monday, reported a Los Angeles Times tally.

The state has also posted another 393 COVID-19 fatalities on Wednesday, breaking Tuesday’s record of 295. So far, the state has now 1.7 million coronavirus cases and 21,887 COVID-19 fatalities in total.

The latest statewide COVID-19 records came as state officials reported on Wednesday San Joaquin Valley’s 0 percent ICU capacity as well as a distressing .5% availability in the Southern California regions, according to the Times.  

Additionally, the outlet also reported that 14,939 infected Californians remain currently hospitalized with 3,188 patients in the ICU. Both records are noted for being the highest number of hospitalizations and intensive care patients the state has so far seen in a single day since the pandemic began.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles County on Wednesday identified 22,469 coronavirus cases breaking its previous record on Friday of 13,507 cases.

Other counties including San Bernardino County, Fresno County, Contra Costa County, San Francisco and San Benito County, also reported record-breaking case numbers, the news outlet reported.

Last month, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) enforced a stay-at-home order in the state’s worst-hit counties, restricting nonessential work and gatherings from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Source: The Hill